Device for permitting variation of the capacity of explosion chambers in guns



1,480,957 I Atmz s Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 15 1924.

E. SCHNEIDER DEVICE FOR PERMITTING VARIATION OF THE GAP OF EXPLOSION CHAMBERS IN GUNS Filed June 29. 1923 l Zql Jan. 15 1924. 1,480,957

' E. SCHNEIDER DEVICE FOR PERMIITING VARIATION OF THE CAPACITY OF EXPLOSION CHAMBERS IN GUNS Filed June 29 1923 3 SheetwSheei; Z

Jan. 15 1924. 1,480,957 E. SCHNEIDER DEVICE FOR PERMITTING VARIATION OF THE CAPACITY OF EXPLOSION CHAMBERS IN GUNS Filed June 29 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 sion (Jhambers in Guns, w

Patented Jan. 15 1924.

- maps? N ED T S P ENT"oF lcE."

EUGENE scrmnrnnn, or rams, rmcn, Amonoa 'ro scxnnrmma cm, or ram,

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To all whom it may concern:

lBe it known that I, EUGENE SCHNEIDER,

' resident of Paris, France citizen of the Republic of France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Per- Qmittin g Variation of the Ca acity of Exploich is fully set forth in the followingspecification.

. The present invention has for its subject a device which permits of varying the ca- I pacity of the explosion chamber in guns, and more particularly in tlfose which are charged through the muzzle, or in any case those not comprising a true breech opening for charging. h

For such guns, with the object of varying the capacityof the explosion chamber, devices have been roposed which eflectthis variation throug a displacement of. the projectile in the tube. This known means has the disadvantage that,'for,. eachdifl'erent position of the projectile, the length of the course of the latter in thetube is altered.

. According to the invention, with a-projecfixedposition in the tube and a stopper or mum capacity.

a rear end tubei a. Two constructional examples of the inventionare represented on the accompanying; -1drawings: v

'gs. 1 to 3 inclusive represent a first constructional form. i

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation in which the explosion chamber, is

constituting an obturator of the Fig. 2 is an analogous sectional elevation showing the chamber adjusted for its maximum capacity.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

" Figs. 4 to 7 inclusiverepresent a second constructional form;

Fig. 4 is an axial sectional plan showing the parts arranged for the minimum capacity of the explosion chamber;

Fi 5 is an analogous sectional plan a showing the parts in the position correably mounted in t adjusted for its mini-' I about the axis of the latter, but bein -insponding to the maximum capacity of the .c amber;

Fig. 6 is a arrangement or the-reading of the a justment given to the capacity of the chamber; Fig. 7 1s a transverse section along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the mechanism allowing the continuous regulation of the explosion chamber is arranged on a tapped sleeve A whose base A forming the rear end, is perforated b a firing passage a. By the use of the mec anism which comprises a screw B, rotatably mounted in the said sleeve A and adapted to be operated by means of the handle b, there is produced a continuous displacement of the tube C of the gun, said tube being provided with a screw-thread a corresponding to the tapping of the sleeve.

As may be seen the projectile D has an Partial elevation showin the i invariable position in the tube 0 so that the, length of travel int-he tube C is constant, whatever may be the capacity given to the explosion chamber E.- The position of adjustment of the capacity E may be observed by the help of a mark a engraved on the front edge of the sleeve A and in front of which i is diwlaced'a helicoidal graduation Fengraved on .the tube C.

. In this example the mechanism allowing the continuous adjustment isarranged at the back of the tube C and com rises a shaft .G rovided with a hand-whee g on which is yed a conical pinion, g which with a pinion h kelyed to tle shaft H rotatetube so as toyrotate capable of longitudinal displacement t erein.' This shaft H is provided with a screwthread to 'enga with a tapped sleeve I guided by a feat er i in the groove 0 of the tube C. This sleeve I constitutes the obturator, and it is the distance between the front face of the said obturator and the rear face of the projectile D which regullates the capacity of the explosion chamber. In this example a assage for firin c is provided in the tube C. The variations of capacity of the chamber E may be observed ars 1 .1

on the disc J carried by a spindle j rotatably mounted in the tube C and ca the pinion j which ears with a rac: 13 formed on the sleeve the disc y" is movable in front of. a fixed mark K carried by the tube 0. In this example as in the precedingexample, the projectile D preserves the same relative position, with respect to tube (3, whatever be the capac ty given to the chamber E.

Having now particularly descr bedand ascertained the nature of our said inventlon and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is 1. A device adapted to vary the capacity of the ex losion chamber in guns and particularly in those which are charged from lhe muzzle, characterized by the combination, with a projectile carrying the "ejecting charge in its rear end, of a mechanism by means of which there may be effected in a continuous manner the adjustment of the distance between the said projectile havm k a. fixed position in the gun and the rear en constituting the obturator of thegun.

2. A, device for varying the capacity of the explosion chamber of'a muzzle loading gun comprisin gin combination with a gun tube, a longitu inally movable obturator associated therewith, meansfor moving said obtura-tor, and means for indicating theca pacit-y of said chamber.

3. A device for varying the capacity of the explosion chamber of a muzzle loadlng gun comprising, in combination with a gun tube,-a movable obturator, means for moving said obturator towards or away from a loaded projectile having a fixed position in said tube, and means for indicating the capacity of said chamber. I

4. A device for varying the capacity of the explosion chamber of a muzzle loading gun comprising, in combination with a proectile carrying the ejecting charge in its rear end,-a gun tube, stop means for giving said projectile a fixed position in'said tube,

a movab e obturator, means for moving said obturator towards and away from the base of said projectile, and means for indicatin the distance said obturator has been move from said projectile.

5. The method of varying the ran e of a gun which consists in increasing or ecreasinstant of firing.

, said tube and of the gun relative to the gun tube and to a projectile loaded in said tube,-said projectile hayiiig a fixedposition in said tube.

muzzle loading gun comprising a gun t'ubeand means for varying the muzzle velocity of a. projectile fired from said gun by a predetermined propelling charge including an obturator movable relatively to projectile to a plurality of firing positions.

8. A device of the class described comprising a muzzle loading gun tube, an obturator mounted on said tube, a firing passe e in said obturator, means for longitudinal y moving said obturator relativeto said tube in order tovary the muzzle velocity of a projectile'fired from said tube, and means for indicating the extent of movement of said obturator.

9. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a gun tube having a helicoidal scale thereon and exteriorl threaded adjacent the breech end thereo an interiorly threaded sleeve closed at one end thereof engaging the threaded'portion of said tube, a circular rack formed on said, tube, a worm journalledin said sleeve having engagementwith said rack, means for rotating said worm, and ,an indicator on said' sleeve cobperating with said scale.

10.'A device of the class described com-- d In testimony whereof I have signed this I specification.

, EUGENE SCHNEIDER. Witnesses:

Ammi: Mos'n LoUIs Gamma. 

